U2, Songs Of Innocence (free download via iTunes)
This edition of Songs Of Innocence is in fact an 11 song preview of the full album which is due for official release on October 13, also featuring acoustic sessions, two new songs, and alternate versions of two songs within (“The Troubles” and “Sleep Like A Baby Tonight”). So it’s a reverse promotion to what other performers have done recently – U2 has given us most of the album to enjoy, with the extras to follow instead. I was wondering what U2 would do next after their solid (and originally free) charity single from earlier this year, “Invisible”, didn’t really resonate with music fans.
I guess like many people, it would be interesting to know why the decision with iTunes to create the free download, for a band that has already made millions of dollars from records and touring. There are a number of other secure ways of creating a download that would have seemed less intrusive. I mean iTunes now creates a lot of people’s record collections, which of course have a deep personal attachment. Every artist has fans who would have been delighted with this. But imagine if it was Justin Bieber or One Direction? It would have been received even less, uh, warmly. And I’m hoping that iTunes will allow people who downloaded Songs Of Innocence to ‘complete the album’ rather than buy the entire package – that would be a nice gesture.
As for the album preview itself? It’s a fine release. I’m not sure if U2 will be able to surpass their classic era of late 80’s and early 90’s albums, but there are many songs on the Danger Mouse produced Songs Of Innocence which have lots of potential. In particular “The Troubles” (lyric video above), with featured vocals by Lykki Li, is an outstanding collaboration that should receive notice. At least five of the other songs – “Song For Someone”, “Raised By Wolves”, “Every Breaking Wave”, “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)”, and “Cedarwood Road” – will all catch your attention with the ever-distinct guitar work by The Edge and some Bono vocal work which will remind you of that classic era of U2 that I already referenced.
Despite the way that its promotion has occurred, do be sure to give this preview of U2’s Songs Of Innocence a fair shot. Read more about it on U2’s website.
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